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Financial Matters

AT Loan Fund Can Help

The Assistive Technology Loan Fund (ATLF) is available to help people pay for tools for independence. The ATLF is a low interest loan available to people with disabilities and their family members to help purchase items like wheelchair-accessible vehicles, hearing aids, mobility devices, communication devices, or adapted recreation equipment. The ATLF can also pay for home modifications, including ramps, to make your home more accessible. For more information, contact Lewis Whalen at whalenl@dnswm.org or (269) 345-1516 x107.

ABLE Account Cap raised to $15,000

ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families which have been made possible as a result of the passage of the Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, better known as the ABLE Act. The Internal Revenue Service has increased the total annual contribution limit on an ABLE account from $14,000 per tax year to $15,000 per tax year beginning in 2018. According to the ABLE National Resource Center this increase is due to IRS adjustments connected with inflation rates. For more information about ABLE accounts, visit the ABLE National Resource Center at www.ablenrc.org or call our Information & Referral department.

Free Tax Preparation Resources

You may qualify for FREE tax preparation services by an IRS trained volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) or tax counseling for the elderly (TCE) preparer. You must meet certain requirements to be eligible, however if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, Medicaid, Food Stamps or any other assistance program, there is a good chance you qualify for free tax help, too. To locate a free tax site near you, dial 2-1-1 or check on the following websites: